Seniors Jump Into Health Care Debate. Congress getting an earful.
August 3rd, 2009 by Skip McGrath
When the health care debate started it wasn’t supposed to be about seniors. The whole point was to get health care to people who didn’t have it or couldn’t buy it. But it became clear early on that seniors would end up paying for the new coverage by cuts in Medicare. The American Medical Association and The American Hospital Association agreed to 20% cuts in payments to doctors and hospitals in exchange for getting more younger people covered so doctors and hospitals would not have to engage in cost shifting to pay for people who have no insurance.
Incredibly the AARP has jumped on board. In the past AARP always defended medicare benefits against any attack. They claim to be a non-partisan lobbying group that represents seniors, but their partisan underwear is showing on this one.
The cuts and impending budget shortfalls will lead to rationing and limiting procedures. The other huge factor no one is talking about is the coming lack of doctors. If the new bills when passed result in covering the claimed 40 million people who are not currently covered –and if most of these people are covered for free, then we will need about 400,000 new doctors to provide the same level of care that the system delivers today. And of course, as part of their sneaky bargain, the American Medical Association refuses to license new medical schools so they can control the supply of doctors.
This whole thing is starting to stink and people, including many seniors are getting wise to it. I spoke to a staffer at my congressman’s office, Rick Larsen. Rick is a big-time socialist and supporter of anything the loony left comes up with, but he is getting scared as his email and phone calls are running strongly against any government takeover and cuts in Medicare. Congress people usually love to attend town hall meetings, Rotary Club events and other public meetings while they are on vacation. But this time they are dreading it as people are standing up and giving them an earful. Several congressmen –even in very liberal districts, have been openly booed in these meetings.
Besides the health care bill people are also giving them an earful about Cap and Trade –the bill that the house of representatives passed that will double electric and natural gas bills over the next ten years. This will have a huge impact on seniors who live on fixed incomes and can’t keep up with the inflation that is sure to follow. The Senate will take up Cap and Trade in September, so you may want to let your Senators know how you feel about that one too.
